Did you know you can now travel to Ballarat by train from anywhere in Victoria for just $9.20 on weekdays and $6.70 on weekends?

Once you’re here, make your money go even further with our list of 20 Ballarat places to eat, drink, play and explore for less than $20…

1. Entry is free at the Ballarat Botanical Gardens, including the Robert Clark Conservatory.

2. You can also visit the Art Gallery of Ballarat for free (except for ticketed exhibitions), with free guided tours at 11am daily.

3. Get $12.50 movie tickets every Tuesday at Lydiard Street’s historic Regent Cinemas.

4. Explore the social history and cultural impact of the Victorian gold rush at the Eureka Centre for just $6 adult, $4 children/concession, or $18 family. Entry is free for Ballarat residents on provision of photo ID.

5. Visit the Ballarat Tramway Museum and go for a ride on a vintage tram for $10 adult, $8 concession and $5 child.

6. Hit the trampolines at indoor play centre Xtreme Bounce for $18 on weekends ($14 toddlers) and $16 on weekdays ($12 toddlers).

7. Explore the city’s streets on one of Ballarat’s free self-guided walking tours. Options include Contemporary, Historic Streetscapes, War History, Sturt Street, and Lake Wendouree.

8. For some old school fun, head to Oz Tenpin Ballarat and enjoy a round of bowling for $17 adult or $15 kids under 16 years.

9. Sign up for a free tour of the Ballarat Town Hall every Wednesday and Friday at 2pm. Or take a tour of the historic Ballaarat Mechanics’ Institute on Tuesdays at 2pm for $10.

10. During the annual Ballarat Winter Festival, take to the ice at the city’s pop-up ice skating rink for $18 adult, $12 child 5-14 years and $9 toddler 4 years and younger.

11. On Sundays from October to April, jump on board the Golden City Paddle Steamer for a 45-minute cruise on Lake Wendouree for $15 adult and $8 child.

12. Practice your golf swing at Gold Rush Mini Golf for $15 adult, $13 student/senior/concession, and $9 kids aged 13 and under, with children 3 years and under free.

13. Check out the extensive range of native Australian birdlife at Ballarat Bird World for $17 adult and $10 children aged 4-16.

14. For some of the city’s best outdoor playgrounds, head to the Lake Wendouree Adventure Playground, Victoria Park’s Inclusive Play Space and the Eureka Stockade Gardens Playground.

15. Soak up the fresh air and wide open spaces at Lal Lal Falls, Mount Buninyong, Woowookarung Regional Park and the Ballarat-Skipton Rail Trail.

16. Mosey on down to Wine O’Clock at Mitchell Harris every Tuesday to Friday between 4pm-6pm for some of the bar’s favourite wines at $10 a glass, beers at $8 and snack plates at $12.

17. The Lake View Hotel is the place to be on weekdays between 3.30pm-5pm. During School’s Out happy hour, get half price milkshakes, soft drinks, hot drinks, chips, wedges, pizza, house wine, tap beer and more.

18. At The North Star Hotel, take your pick from $5 Sunday night kids’ meals between 4.30pm-6.30pm, $20 Wednesday parma night, $18 Thursday pasta night, and Friday Happy Hour from 3pm-6pm.

19. Drop into the Golden City Hotel for a range of $20 meals on Tuesday nights, $10 coffee/milkshake and cake on weekdays from 8am-5pm, plus $15 express lunches on weekdays from 11am-1pm.

20. Grab a pimped-up sandwich at Earls Deli and Shep St Sandos.

Main image: Art Gallery of Ballarat

Note: This information is correct as of June 2023. Please check with the individual businesses to ensure these prices are still valid.